Means for packing reciprocable elements



W. COOPEY Feb. 20, 1945.

w L M V F. W 5 M P RECI'PROCAELF ELEMENTS Filed Ma PACK/N6 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 20, 1945 MEANS FOR PACKING RECIPROCABLE ELEMENTS Walter Coopey, Charleston, W. Va., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application March 24, 1943, Serial No. 480,313

3 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to a method and means for sealing a reciprocable element, and more particularly to packing means therefor adapted to withstand high pressure.

One of the most urgent problems of the industries utilizing high pressures is the problem of forming a pressure-tight joint between the contents of pressure vessels and the atmosphere when a moving element, such as a piston, stirring rod and the like, must be in communication with the atmosphere. conventionally, the reciprocable or other moving element is surrounded with two or more retaining rings and with many ringsfpr layers of packing elements, usually of asbestos, tow, oakum and the like, which are compressed and held in place by a packing gland. For relatively low pressures of the order of a few hundred lbs. per sq. in. such a. packing device functions with a fair degree of satisfaction, but for high pressures of the order of 5,000 to 15,000 lbs. per sq. in. and higher such packing rapidly breaks down and fails to provide a pressure tight seal. Where the service is corrosive, as in the chemical industries, the ordinary packing breaks down even more rapidly and is entirely unsuitable. Thus, it has become axiomatic in the high pressure industry to avoid wherever possible the use of. moving connections between high and low pressure zones.

Accordingly, itis an object of this invention to provide a pressure-tight seal between a reciprocable element and a pressure-retaining wall. Another object is to provide a novel high pressure packing device. Yet another object is to provide a pressure-tight seal between a reciprocable element apertm'ed in a pressure vessel and the vessel itself. A further object is to provide a novel packing element which owes its sealing eiIect to a lubricant film.

These and other objects hereinafter apparent are accomplished by this invention, the particular features and advantages of which will be made clear by reference to the accompanying drawing and ensuing description.

In accordance with this invention, the disadvantages of prior devices are overcome, and a pressure-tight seal is formed between a reciprocable element mounted in the packing element positioned between a high pressure zone and a low pressure zone by forming a lubricant wedge surrounding the reciprocable element in the low pressure zone, and developing therefrom a sealing lubricant lm in the free space adjacent the high pressure zone 'between the reciprocable element and the packing element.

It has been discovered that a iilm of lubricant alone is sulcient to seal a reciprocable element mounted in a pressure wall provided that the film of lubricant is properly developed and replenished. It has also been discovered that, by feeding the lubricant to a packing ring or other means closely engaging the reciprocable element and mounted in the pressure vessel as hereinafter explained, a pessure seal capable of withstanding pressures of the order of 10,000 to 15,000 lbs. per sq. in. and higher is formed. However, the lubricant must be fed from the low pressure zone by the reciprocable element to the running lit of the packing element by means of a generally annular passageway having a wedged-shaped cross section when the wedge is bounded by the reciprocable element itself and an enlarged space in the packing element.

Referring now to the drawing,

Figure I represents a sectional view of a reciprocable element mounted in a packing element designed according to the present invention, which in turn is mounted in the wall of a pressure vessel.

Figure II represents a sectional view of a reciprocable element mounted within a packing element in accordance with the present invention, which in turn is mounted in the wall of the pressure vessel, the reciprocable element being provided with a quantity of stuiiing material held in place by a retaining element on the high pressure side.

Figure III represents in section a modification wherein the reciprocable element is mou'n'ted within the packing element which in turn is mounted in the pressure vessel, the wedged surface in Figure III having a tapered portion in the form of a curve rather than a ilat wedge.

In the construction of a high pressure packing in accordance with this invention, and referring now to Figure I of the drawing, the reciprocable element i is mounted in the packing element 2 further to be described, which in turn is mounted in the pressure vessel wall 3. The packing element 2 is provided with an oil reservoir 4 on the low pressure side of the packing element 2. The oil reservoir 4 has an oil inlet 5 and an oil outlet 6 supplied with lubricant under positive feed pressure from a device not shown. The oil reservoir 4 is enclosed on the low pressure side by the gland 1 which in turn is removably attached to the pressure vessel 3 by means not shown. The gland 1 can be in one piece with the packing element 2 but as illustrated is shown detachable therefrom for ease ciprocable element IF-in' a running `beariilig1lt8 7^ in construct-icm.-v I surroundsfthe re`l` y.

elementi iThus, thestuiiing I4 serves rl -to prevent lubricant leakagefrom the close runwhien serveert! retainthe ou,A m' the cureservoir;

4 and also may serve a1;-v ay bearingl for vthe'i re ciprocable element I. 'I'he 'packingfelement 211s 'seated in thepressureA vessel `I and. serves to ning -tlllreaching the high pressure zone v9.

. Also.' the contents ofy the'l'iigh pressure zone 9 maintain a pressureA seal in fthe' highA pressure zone 9 by virtue ofthe oil film developed in the close running'i'lt I0 communicatingon the lowV pressure side with the tapered wedge surface IVI- which in turn-v cooperates with therrecviprocable element I to -form an oil wedge I2.- The tapered, wedged surfacel II is desirably tapered at anv f angle of from about 1 to 4 measured from the axis of the reciprocable element I, and preferably is tapered at an' anglefof about2"v to. 3.' The angle ofthe taper dependsy upon the viscosity-of Vcannot come inv lcontact with the close running fit I0. although vthe pressure in the high pressure zone is held by the packingA element 2 and no substantial vpressure is held by the stuffing Il. The retaining element I preferably in the form of an annular ring, serves'the dual function of retainingthe'stufllng I4 in position, and also of providing a bearing surface for the reciprovcable element I. Thus, wear and corrosion are prevented in the close running fit I0 which in "cooperationwith the tapered wedge surface II the reciprocable` element I serves to retain v the pressure in the high pressure zone 9. The

'the lubricant employed, andfcan be "varied,"-

somewhatv 'fromA the ranges "indicateij:

tapered 'wgedgetll surface ,II vof the packing'elejp-j ment 2 communicates with the oil ',reservoirjl through the filleted surface I3.` 'I'l'iefilletd'surv- ,gland 1 can, vif desired, be provided with. a run- '.fning 'bearinglt 8 as in the preceding example. zo.

4The reciprocable element is provided with means for-moving it along its longitudinal axis, such face I 3 is not essential,.but-aidsv in th development of the lubricant wedge. `Ini operation, the

.i reciprocable element' moves valong vits 'iongitml dinal axis andl the oilreservoirl is suppliedwitha lubricant adapted for the service conditions.v

The 4reciprocable element I'cooper'ates with the tapered'wedged surfacerII ofthe packing element 2 to form a lubricant VwedgeA I2 which supplies4 a sealinglubrican't'film tothe close running fit-I0. When the'close running fit I0 isvsupplied through the wedged surface II the oill film is developed continuously in the close running t I0 and readilyretains a pressure in the high pressure zone 9 of the order of 10'to 15,000

' sure is retained by the packing element. the other hand, in operation of the device as lbs. per sq. in. 'When the packing element 2 has only the closerunning fitted surface vIII without the tapered wedge surface II, the oil 131m the close running surface quickly breaks down or is never developed and cannot h'old any substantial.-

pressure.

The device illustrated inFigure II is similar in principlev and operation to the device. of 1 Figure I, being modified so as to prevent wear on and corrosion of the packing element 2 and alsov meansnot being illustrated." AIn the packing element 2, the tapered wedge surface II cooperating with the close running Afit -I0 is supplied with lubricant from the oilV reservoir 4 and the sealing lubricant film in the' close running t I0 is'developed and maintained by wedge-action in the annular space between the tapered wedge surface II land the reciprocable element I. In the absence of the tapered,wedge surface II, as for instance if the close running fit I0 directly abutted the oil reservoir 4, no substantial presillustrated, pressures of the order of 10,000 to 15,000 lbs. per sq. in. 'and'higher are readily retained. 1

Figure IIIshows an enlarged sectional view of one form of the present invention wherein the vtapered wedged surface II is not provided with a uniform taper but is provided with a taper to prevent oil contamination of the contents of..

the high pressure zone 9. e Briefly stated, the device of Figure II comprises a reciprocable ele- --ment I, mounted in a packing element 2 which in turn is mounted in apressure vessel wall l3.

. action."

The packing element 2 is provided with a close running fitted portion I0 anda tapered rwedged surface II communicating with the oil reservoir-4. Oil or other lubricant under atmospheric or moderate pressure is supplied to the oil reservoir 4 through the oil inlet 5 and excess oil lin progressively increasing degree; that is, viewed vin cross section, the oil wedge e I2 has one straight surface 'against the reciprocable element I and one curved surface against the tapered wedged surface II. Desirably, the tapered wedge surface II has a large opening in the oil reservoir 4 andprogressively decreases .insize to the close running fit I0 where the sealing oil film is developed by virtue of wedge- The oil wedge I2 co-operates with the reciprocable element I and the packing element 2 to provide an oil seal capable of retaining presf sures in the high pressure zone 9 of the order of escapes from the reservoir l through the running bearing Il of the gland 1. The gland 1 and packing element 2 are retained in the pressure v es' sel 3 by means not shown. Toward Athe high pressure zone 9, and below the packing element 2, is a body of stufiing Il held in place byva retaining element I5 which in turn is seated in the pressure vessel 3. .The stuiilng I I is any of the known stuffing and plastic packing materials such as rings of 'compressed' tow, oakuin, graphited asbestos and the like. The stuillng Il measured along the axis of the reciprocable element I vmay be of any length suitable for the intended service, but for corrosive conditions it is preferably of sucha length that the stroke or travel of the reciprocable element I does not bring any adhering contents. of the high pres- .xri zone 9 up to the close running t I0 of the 10,000 to 15,000 lbs. per sq. in. As illustrated in Figure III, .the tapered wedge surface vII is in the form generated by one quadrant of an elipse, and in the portion adjacent the close running flt lIIJ the angle approaching the tangential portion is from about 1 to about 4, and preferably from about 2 to 3 as measured in cross section from theaxis of the reciprocable element I. In

k operation, the reciprocable element I cooperthat a close running fit and a wedged surface as described are in cooperative engagement with the reciprocable element. The reciprocable element for convenience of manufacture is generally in a cylindrical form, such as a shaft, piston, or other shape, but may be of a square or elongated cross section. Likewise, the packing element and gland may be of any desired exterior shape, but are usually for convenience of manufacture in annular or cylindrical form. When the reciprocable element is in the form of a cylinder, it may also be given a rotary motion such as would be advantageous in stirring a high pressure autoclave but should have sumcient reciprocating motion to form and develop in the oil wedge a sealing oil film for the close running flt l0.

While only a single packing element has been illustrated and described, it is obvious that several packing elements may be mounted along a reciprocable shaft, piston and the like in order to share their proportionate amounts of the high pressure load in the high pressure zone, thus permitting a pressure-tight seal for any pressure for which equipment could be designed.

It is desirable that the oil reservoir feeding the oil wedge be under a sufficiently high positive pressure to insure the feeding of oil or other lubricant to the oil wedge, but for ordinary purposes, and where the reciprocable element is mounted vertically, a gravity feed is sufficient. Any of the ordinary positive pressure lubricators can be utilized to supply oil to the oil reservoir. but the oil or other lubricant should not be under a higher pressure than the minimum encountered in the high-pressure zone, in order to avoid contamination.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the use of oil as the lubricant. i't is not restricted thereto, since any liquid of' suflicient viscosity to form a sealing film in the close-running flt can be employed, for example greases, water, vegetable and animal fats and oils, and in some cases, harmless diluents for the contents of the pressure vessel.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that there has been provided a simple and efl'ective device for sealing reciprocable elements against l-igh pressure.

Since many apparently widely differing embodiments will occur to one skilled in the art it is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the detailed construction and practice of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A packing device for sealing a reciprocable element mounted in a pressure vessel which comprises the combination with the reciprocable element of a lubricant reservoir surrounding the reciprocable element and a relatively rigid packing element surrounding the reciprocable element, the packing element being adapted to closely engage the reciprocable element for a portion of its length but having an interposed sealing film of lubricant therebetween, while having an annular passageway oi progressively diminishing cross-section tapering to the reciprocable element at an angle of 1 to 4, surrounding the reciprocable element and connecting the lubricant reservoir with the closely engaging portion of the packing element, the said passageway being adapted to develop, between the reciprocable element and the packing element, the said sealing film, capable of retaining within the pressure vessel pressures of the order of 10,000 to 15,000 pounds per square inch.

2. A packing element for pressure-sealing a reciprocable element mounted therein characterized by being adapted to closely engage th'e said reciprocable element in a close-running t adjacent to the high-pressure zone, and possessing a tapered bore decreasing in size fromthe low-pressure zone to the close-running fit, whereby lubricant supplied to the low pressure side of the packing element assumes a generally wedge-shaped cross-section merging into a sealing film which is capable of withstanding a pressure of the order of 10,000 to 15,000 pounds per square inch 'exerted on the lm from the high pressure zone, the said tapered bore section a of the said packing element having a taper of from about 2 to 3 measured as an angle from the axis of the reciprocable element.

3. An arrangement for pressure-sealing a reciprocable element mounted in a pressure vessel which comprises in combination a reciprocable element positioned in an aperture in a pressure vessel, and at least one pressure-sealing device having a lubricant reservoir surrounding the said reciprocable element adjacent to the low pressure side and adapted to lubricate the same, the said pressure-sealing device having also a packing element communicating with the lubricant reservoir and surrounding the reciprocable element on the high pressure side, the said packing element being cooperatively engaged by the reciprocable element in a close-running fit through a portion of its length and having throughout the remainder of its length a passageway tapering to the reciprocable element at a taper of from about 1 to 4 measured as an angle from the axis of the reciprocable element, the said passageway surrounding the reciprocable element and connecting the close-running fit with the lubricant reservoir, thus forming with the reciprocable element an annular body of lubricant of generally wedge-shaped cross-section, whereby a pressure-sealing lubricant film is developed in the close-running fit through the cooperative action of the reciprocable element, the said pressure-sealing lubricant film being capable of retaining within the pressure vessel pressures of the order of 10,000 to 15,000 pounds Der square inch.

WALTER COOPEY. 

